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MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL JOE DIMAGGIO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Diana Stevens, RN Carine Sanon Black, RN IV, BSN,
CCRN
For the past five years, Diana Stevens has been an
advocate at Memorial Regional Hospital for patients, For nearly 20 years, Carine Black has been taking care
families, and fellow nurses. She does this by providing of children in the pediatric intensive care unit. Most
the best possible care and resources for those under her recently her expertise has been utilized in the CVICU,
watch on 5 East and for peers as a member of its Pride where cardiac patients, including those waiting for or in
Council. The tri-lingual (English, Spanish, Italian) recovery from heart transplants, are attended to. (The car-
Stevens is also having a positive impact outside the hos- diac program at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital has suc-
pital. She has participated in several medical missions to cessfully transplanted 43 kids to date). Carine, a certified
El Salvador and is a youth leader and mission director at pediatric critical care nurse, has been called a “driving
her church. In the latter role, Stevens organizes service force” and a “difference-maker” by her superiors in help-
opportunities for more than 200 congregants. ing shape the nursing culture at the hospital. She has
Despite a busy professional and religious schedule, taken an active role in shared governance, employee
Stevens still finds time to volunteer at homeless shelters and the Children’s Home engagement, and is a mentor to others. A champion on the JDCH Pride and Leadership
Society, assisting adults attempting to put their lives back together and foster children Council, Carine also promotes and fosters nursing excellence through employee
under protective custody. onboarding, recognition, and retention. Known for a compassionate and generous heart,
Black plans special events for patients and shares the highs and lows of treatment with
Richard Knips, RN families.

For Richard Knips, a nurse in the neurology unit at Jennifer Blackman, MSN, RN IV, CPN
Memorial Regional Hospital, personal satisfaction comes
from seeing the progress of patients, many of whom have Jennifer Blackman is a nurse educator for inpatient med-
suffered strokes or are dealing with other brain injuries. ical units at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, known for
“They’ve all experienced a life-changing event and can an infectious spirit, pure heart, and humble nature. During
come to us unable to speak, use their arms, or walk. her long career caring for kids, she has focused on hema-
Then, to see them leave our unit having gotten back close tology/oncology and general pediatrics, earning praise by
to their prior level of function, and to know I had some- promoting and role-modeling the patient and family-cen-
thing to do with that improvement, tells me I’ve chosen tered care that is the hallmark of the Memorial Healthcare
the right profession.” Knips, who expects to earn a BSN System. Most recently, Blackman spearheaded a monthly
at the University of South Florida later this year, says novice workshop for new RNs to enhance skills, knowl-
educating patients is his most important role. He first edge, and to prepare for national certification. She also
assesses the patient’s knowledge and explains things in a way they can understand. coordinates and presents during her unit’s bi-annual, pedi-
Then he utilizes the teach-back method, asking them to explain the instructions in atric nursing grand rounds. Through these activities,
their own words so he can gauge comprehension. Blackman promotes specialty certification and helps raise the bar for the staff’s profes-
Knips, who was born at the hospital he now works at, has been with Memorial sional development. She also represents Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital on a sys-
Healthcare System for nearly three years. temwide strategic planning committee, Collaboration and Best Practices, to assure uni-
form practices throughout the healthcare system. Blackman has been called “a true advo-
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PEMBROKE cate for process and policies” by her superiors and someone who “shines” in her many
roles at the hospital.
Gina Sledge, RN, BSN, CEN
MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL SOUTH
A traumatic experience as a teenager led Gina Sledge to
what has become her life’s work. “I was close with a cousin
that died from cancer at 17-years-old,” said Sledge, an Audia Riley, MSN, RN III, CRRN
emergency room nurse at Memorial Hospital Pembroke
for the past three years. “Throughout the entire ordeal, all Audia Riley’s goal in working with rehabilitation
the nurses were patient, compassionate, and took the time patients is to see improvement, help each person regain
to be there for our family.” It’s a lesson Sledge has never independence, and/or help get them back as close to their
forgotten, and a standard she tries to live up to, even in the previous level of function as possible. Many of those she
fast-paced ER. “Every patient is scared and I do my best to cares for have suffered strokes, lost limbs, or had traumatic
understand what they’re going through so I can effectively brain or spinal cord injuries. A nurse for nearly 30 years,
explain to them all that’s happening. Communication is so the last 11 within the Memorial Healthcare System, Riley
important in that situation.” A nurse since 2006, Sledge is an important part in shaping the systemwide strategic
expects to become a nurse practitioner in the coming months. She says the staff at plan for nursing and championing improvement in the
Memorial Hospital Pembroke is like family to her. patient experience. She also advocates for new nurses
making the transition from timid graduate to confident
Laura Mendez, RN III professional. Riley’s willingness to adapt and focus on the
patient experience is what makes her successful, as evidenced by the compliments she
Don’t correlate Laura Mendez’s relatively short time at routinely receives from those in her care. It’s that feedback that fuels her desire to “Go
Memorial Hospital Pembroke with a lack of impact or Beyond” for patients and staff at Memorial Regional Hospital South.
accomplishment. She began her Memorial career after
being assigned a practicum while a student at Nova
Southeastern University. Mendez then joined the MHP
team as a new graduate RN, was paired with an amazing
preceptor (Randi Silverhardt), and is now performing the
same role with other graduate nurses. She has also been a
charge nurse, become an RN III, and recently won a Daisy
Award for extraordinary nursing. “Ours isn’t the easiest
profession and it comes with many challenges, but it is
truly rewarding.” Mendez is currently pursuing a master’s
degree as a family nurse practitioner and wants to bring a
deeper knowledge and understanding of disease processes to the patients she cares for.
Despite a busy professional and school schedule, Mendez still finds time to volunteer at
the Humane Society of Broward County.

36 May 2018 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News